Mindanao is greatly known as the Fashion Hub of the Philippines in the Southeast Asia. The central authority in promoting and strengthening Filipino fashion sense by using the ingenuity of our cultural diversity. Improving the quality and competitiveness and branding Filipino products in the global market.

I AMindanao young rising fashion stars introduce their STELLAR perception of local fashion in the road to global destination, an inclusive platform for a fashion and design competition that combines design ideation and business incubation. This encourage young generation of Mindanaoan designers to incorporate, create and innovate a visionary and contemporary take on Mindanao's cultural and artisanal heritage through the help of the Davao Fashion and Design Council.The finalists was given a tasks and challenged their personal interpretation about the island Mindanao and incorporate it with the people and its culture in a 5-piece capsule collection with a global perspective by tweaking Mindanao artisanal heritage using the commercial available materials or traditional/indigenous textiles in order to come up a design that is wearable and marketable garments.The Ten Stellar finalists who graced their boundless collections:ARIES BUENVENIDA - "Washout"Davao City

CHARD PULATCHE - "Banig"Davao Del Norte

FRANKIE GALAGNARA - "La Mode Indigene"Cagayan De Oro City

LALA CHUA - "Kutob-Tubo"Davao City

MANDY VELASCO - "Parabolic-Sinalapid"Davao City

MARK JOSEPH SAYAD - "Agila"Island Garden City of Samal

MARLON SUAN - "Urbane Culture"Tagum City

MIMI TANDINGAN - "The Vertical Line"Davao Occidental

NEIL PATRICK JIMLANI - "Tabanog"Davao City

WILSON LIMON - "Genderless World"Davao City

Stellar judge the best collection that really followed the tasks and abide with the vision of the DFDC. And to use commercial available materials and as much as possible to take pride using the traditional and indigenous materials that Filipino can take pride and show to the world that we have the best textiles in terms of fashion.Meet the judges:Ms. Cathy BinagStyle and Design Academy's CEOSuki SalvadorCreative Director to One Mega Group and MEGA- The Philippines' best fashion magazineCary SantiagoCurrent and Important Powerhouse Couture DesignerAvel BacudioAsia's Most Influential Designer by Mercedez Benz Stylo Asia Fashion WeekDodjie BatuDavao Fashion and Design Council Immediate Past President

It's good to see young and local artists being recognized through projects, like this. The designs are beautiful, I can wear them myself. I hope that more initiatives like this will flourish in various cities in the country. -Claire Algarme

Wow!!! I didn't know that Mindanao is greatly known as the Fashion Hub of the Philippines in the Southeast Asia. Looking at the designs on the photos you posted which look ethnic, cultural and modern at the same time, it is no wonder. The pieces are so fashion-forward and classic at the same time. I love it! And I'm so proud of IAMindanao! Kudos to the team! - Mum Tuscany